Innovations in autonomous technologies are making it possible for companies to introduce robotic vehicles into an increasing number of new environments. This is true for sidewalks and bike lanes in several states, where personal delivery devices (PDDs) are permitted to operate and deliver goods. This Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) Information Brief clarifies terms and definitions for PDDs, describes their physical and operational characteristics, and provides an overview of key policy and research areas affecting their deployment with an emphasis on pedestrians and bicyclists (see Cregger et al., 2020, for a review of PDDs and other network impacts). This brief is intended for transportation professionals and communities where PDDs are being considered, tested, or deployed.
